Hundreds of Leopard Sharks Spotted off California Coast

Leopard sharks are a common sight in La Jolla where the shallow waters are often calm and hold plenty of food

Hundreds of leopard sharks swam alongside kayakers and paddleboard surfers off the California coast Tuesday.

NBC 7 news helicopter captured video of the interaction between humans and sharks.

The sharks, named after spots on their backs that resemble those of a leopard, are a common sight in La Jolla where the shallow waters are often calm and hold plenty of food.

Normally the sight of a shark in the water would be frightening to surfers or kayakers but not so with these creatures.

Leopard sharks pose no danger to humans unless provoked and can grow up to 6 feet when fully matured.

Experts at the Birch Aquarium with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said it's not unusual to see leopard sharks off the coast in the fall and winter months. The only difference is there are fewer in number than in the summer.

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